In the Know: Vaginal Itch

If you have a vagina, you’ve probably felt itchy in that area at some point in your life. Vaginal itch is so common, in fact, women experience it more often than the common cold. And as you may know, itch isn’t a one-size-fits-all sensation. The feeling ranges from slightly bothersome to very irritating to OMG-my-vagina’s-on-fire. Needless to say, we’re of the mind that vaginal itch is less of a dirty little secret and more of a shared experience of womanhood. However, when itch does happen, it’s important to know what may be causing it so you can get relief.

Dr. O “What causes vaginal itch”(3:51)

Gynecologist Dr. Althea O’Shaughnessy has the low-down on vaginal itch.

One woman’s questions are every woman’s questions.

Why Does My Vagina Itch?

We get this one a lot. A number of things can contribute to vaginal itch, including hormonal changes (pregnancy, birth control and menopause) and even harsh soaps, laundry detergents and certain fabrics. When accompanied by a strong odour or discharge, a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis (BV) or an STD could be the culprit. In this case, we recommend that you consult your doctor.

How do I treat vaginal itch?

Good question. For itch caused by an infection, for example, antibiotics or antifungals are recommended to help treat the infection itself. However, you don’t have to suffer while you wait for the meds to kick in. An anti-itch cream can provide fast itch relief.

Is it just me or do other women experience vaginal itch?

This is such an important question. Women experience vaginal itch more frequently than the common cold, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of and there’s no reason to suffer in silence. Vagisil® makes it easy to get fast relief from itchy symptoms, but also talk to your GYN about it, so they can help you find out what may be going on.